Ginger chews

Homemade ginger chews that work as an on-hand remedy for nausea, digestion, and mild coughs. The ginger is boiled with citrus juice to extract its active compounds, then cooked with butter and honey to the soft-ball stage (240°F) so the chews set chewy rather than hard. Add honey only once the mixture has cooled slightly — boiling destroys many of its beneficial compounds.

Ingredients

• Lots of grated ginger (or use ginger powder for stronger flavor and antitussive effect).
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Juice of 1 orange
• 8 cups of water
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups wild honey or maple sugar
• Optionally add 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Optionally add thyme (another herbal antitussive)

Instructions

• Boil ginger, lemon, orange juice mixture in water for a few minutes or until the liquid reduces to half.
• Strain
• Add unsalted butter, and let it simmer till candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees for chewy texture when cooled down
• Add honey once the mixture starts to cool down a bit
• Spread the liquid on a baking sheet and let it cool
• Sprinkle powdered sugar or arrow root powder once liquid cools down to a sheet
• Cut to bite sized pieces